MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis, who would be expected to start while Iffy Melinfonwu is on the non-football injury list, hobbled off the field about halfway through Tuesday’s practice, dragging his left leg.
Davis, the free agent signee from the New York Jets, wasn’t putting any weight on the leg. He later appeared on the sideline with crutches and a walking boot on the foot.
Without Davis, Melinfonwu or Dante Trader Jr., the rookie fifth-round pick, the Dolphins are strapped at safety. They could turn to Elijah Campbell, the fifth-year player who is used mostly on special teams, Patrick McMorris, last year’s sixth-round pick, Jordan Colbert, undrafted out of Rhode Island in 2024, or John Saunders Jr., an undrafted rookie from Missouri alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. None has significant experience.
Most likely coach Mike McDaniel will provide an update on Davis on Wednesday morning but Davis’ injury is clearly not a promising sign for a Dolphins secondary that’s already been going through injuries issues as well as significant personnel changes.
Davis, 28, was battling to solidify himself as a starter and doing relatively well even though he’d been low-key so far in training camp.
Davis has been more of a special teams player than a player from scrimmage during his career. He played 261 snaps from scrimmage (26 percent) for the Jets last season. In 2023, he played 217 snaps (19 percent) from scrimmage.
In 2024, Davis played 283 special teams snaps (75 percent) and in 2023 he played 396 special teams snaps (82 percent).
Melinfonwou, the 26-year-old free agent signee from Detroit, was the favorite to start but he must get healthy first. Melinfonwu has been slowed by injuries throughout his career.
Last season a dislocated finger meant Melinfonwu was limited to three games, all starts, for the Detroit Lions, playing just 137 snaps. Two years ago he played all 17 games, making six starts, playing 399 snaps (37 percent).
Sieler does all drills
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who wants a contract extension from the Dolphins, participated in all of the 11-on-11 drills Tuesday, seemingly dispelling the notion he’ll stage a hold-in while contract details are being worked.
A hold-in is when a player reports to camp but doesn’t participate in all drills. It’s meant to show an objection to his contract situation and reduce injury risk. Players who stage a holdout, meaning they don’t report to camp, are subject to daily fines so the hold-in is the preferred tactic.
It’s not yet known whether Sieler will continue to participate in all drills in the full pads practices.
Duck returns, no Kohou update
Cornerback Storm Duck, a candidate to start, returned to practice Tuesday after being absent Monday for an undisclosed reason.
Among those not at Tuesday’s practice were cornerback Kader Kohou (right leg), tight Jaylin Conyers (unknown ailment), center Aaron Brewer (soft tissue injury), offensive tackle Bayron Matos (upper body), Trader, and cornerback BJ Adams (concussion protocol).
There was no update on Kohou because McDaniel didn’t speak with the media on Tuesday.
Defensive front seven active again
The defensive front seven, led by inside linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who recorded at least one sack and at least one tackle for loss as well as a tackle for no gain, was active in Tuesday’s first day of pads.
The front seven, which also includes edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson, has been good against the run and pass throughout the offseason, causing major disruptions for the offensive line.
At this point the front seven, which is getting good play from defensive tackles Sieler, who is coming off back-to-back 10-sack seasons, and Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, is trending toward being a game-changing or game-winning unit.
With linebackers Jordyn Brooks, last year’s leading tackler (143), and Tyrel Dodson, last year’s leader in interceptions (three), also making big plays so far in training camp, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver appears to have a crew that could cause major headaches for the line of star quarterbacks the Dolphins will face this year.
As a reminder about those quarterbacks, the Dolphins will face Buffalo’s Josh Allen twice, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Washington’s Jayden Daniels, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield.
Miami Dolphins tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) catches a pass during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Willie Gay (40) sings along with music during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel walks with safety Elijah Campbell (22) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Elijah Campbell (22) goes up for a ball during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) leads the defense onto the field for practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson (0) throws during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Alex Huntley (96) talks with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) drops back during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Dee Eskridge (82) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) are seen during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill (89) catches a pass during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins Ben Stille runs during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea (72) is seen during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins guard Josh Priebe (68) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Eugene Asante (51) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kion Smith (71) speaks to the media during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels (78) speaks to the media during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) speaks during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) is seen during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins center Andrew Meyer (60) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins guard Jonah Savaiinaea (72) greets fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul (52) greets fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Miami Dolphins tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) catches a pass during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Pads come on, action picks up
Tuesday’s practice was the first in full pads during training camp. Players weren’t tackling to the ground, which is always the case, but they said the physicality intensified.
“I love pads,” tight end Tanner Conner said. “I block way better with pads than I do without them. It’s just easier for me. I feel like running outside zone without pads really sucks. So I get excited when pads come on. And we can do a little bit more motion and get momentum and stuff like that. So I enjoy it when pads are on.”
Chubb, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury he sustained at Baltimore on New Years Eve of 2023, became a bit nostalgic wearing pads Tuesday.
“It feels real, so it’s good to be out here with the guys again,” he said. “It’s my first time wearing pads since the injury.”
QBs still playing well, especially backups
Through six practices quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t thrown an interception and has continued to show the accuracy that makes him one of the league’s best in that category. Tagovailoa had a well-placed 28-yard strike to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle during Tuesday’s practice and a well-placed 20-yard strike to Waddle in Monday’s practice.
Second-team quarterback Zach Wilson has been showing the arm strength that made him the No. 2 pick of the 2021 draft by the Jets. Wilson appears more comfortable each day in the Dolphins’ offense.
Third-team quarterback Quinn Ewers, the rookie seventh-round pick from Texas, has been effective and efficient in his performance and has seemed to move the offense well when he gets his opportunities.
The news on Wilson and Ewers is especially promising considering Tagovailoa has had injury concerns in 2022 and 2024, and the backup quarterbacks such as Skylar Thompson, Teddy Bridgewater, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley and Tim Boyle struggled to a two-year starting record of 3-8 games.
Originally Published: July 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM EDT